IUGG and ICTP agreed to promote education in geophysics and geodesy

The International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics and the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) have taken steps to enhance geophysical and geodetic education and science collaboration.

On 6 October 2011, ICTP Director Fernando Quevedo and IUGG Secretary General Alik Ismail-Zadeh signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote educational programs related to geodesy and geophysics for the next quadrennium (2012-2015). Among other points, the agreement encourages collaboration in organization of advanced schools/workshops in geodesy and geophysics in ICTP or in economically less developed countries; in development of diploma courses related to Earth and space sciences; and in dissemination of information on educational and scientific meetings.

On 6 November 2015, ICTP Director Fernando Quevedo and IUGG President Michael Sideris signed a new Memorandum of Understanding to extend the previous agreement on the educational program related to geodesy and geophysics for 2016-2019.

ICTP Director F. Quevedo (right) and IUGG President M. Sideris

Founded in 1964 by the late Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam, ICTP seeks to accomplish its mandate by providing scientists from developing countries with the continuing education and skills that they need to enjoy long and productive careers. ICTP has been a major force in stemming the scientific brain drain from the developing world. The impact of ICTP extends well beyond the Centre's facilities to virtually every corner of the Earth. The Earth System Physics (ESP) Section of ICTP studies a wide spectrum of the Earth system, from its fluid components (oceans and the atmosphere) to the planet's interior.